Fifth Aston Martin confirmed for 24 Hours of Le Mans

Aston Martin will run a fifth Vantage GTE at the 90th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as the first reserve #98 car is granted an entry.

The car will now run in the GTE Pro class instead of the GTE Am class (as previously listed) thanks to reclassification from the ACO.

John Gaw, team principal, Aston Martin Racing

“We are delighted to have received the news of a fifth entry into the 90th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. To have been named as first reserve was good news in itself and we kept our fingers crossed that it would be upgraded to a full entry. To have it confirmed so quickly is great news as it allows us extra preparation time.

“The four Vantage GTEs competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship (the #97 and #99 Pro cars and the #95 and #96 Am cars) will now be joined in the 24 Hours of Le Mans by the #98 car. And, in a change from the original entry, the #98 will now compete in the Pro class instead of the Am class.

“In this significant year for both Le Mans and Aston Martin, we would particularly like to thank the ACO for reclassifying the car from the Am to the Pro class. The 24 Hours of Le Mans GTE line-up is extremely competitive and the extra Pro class entry has further supported our ambitions in the category.

“This year is important for Aston Martin as it celebrates its centenary year, and having five cars on the grid for the biggest event on the motorsport calendar is a fitting way to celebrate.”

A full announcement regarding the #98 Vantage GTE, including the driver line up, will be made in due course.

Aston Martin Racing will be testing at Road Atlanta next week ahead of the 12 Hours of Sebring where, in addition to the confirmed Sebring drivers, Dane Cameron (US) and Richie Stanaway (NZ) will test for the team.

Aston Martin Racing is the motorsport arm of Aston Martin. In 2013, it will contest the FIA World Endurance Championship with its Vantage GTE. It also has customer teams competing in major championships around the world in its Vantage GT4, GT3 and GTE cars, which all share a bonded aluminium chassis and fundamental engine design with Aston Martin's road-going V8 Vantage.
Follow the team's progress on facebook,on Twitter using @amr_official and on the website www.astonmartin.com/racing